Edmonton, May 18 (RHC)-- Thousands of workers in the oil industry in the Canadian province of Alberta were evacuated from work camps as the fire left the city of Fort McMurray and spreads to surrounding areas.

The concern with the fire in Fort McMurray, Alberta, which forced the evacuation of the entire 90,000-population town, has shifted from the city itself to the oil industry in surrounding areas, officials said Tuesday.

Around 8,000 people were evacuated late Monday night from work camps located north of Fort McMurray.  The same evening, Suncor issued a news release that it had begun a shutdown of its operations, and that workers were being sent to work camps further north.

As the some 80,000 residents of Fort McMurray enter their third week away from their homes, the fire has thus far destroyed about 2,400 structures.  The hospital, airport, and water treatment plant remain intact, however.